Straight seam guide attachment



Nov. 3, 1964 A. BRENNER 3,155,060

STRAIGHT SEAM GUIDE ATTACHMENT Filed July 1, 1963 132 114 160 124 160a INVENTOR.

14 ABE BRENNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,155,060 STRAIGHT SEAR I GUIDE ATTACHIVIENT Abe Brenner, 255 W. 23rd St, New York, N.Y. Filed July 1, 1963, Ser. No. 292,023 6 Claims. (Cl. 112-153) This invention relates to a guide for use in sewing a straight seam and more particularly to a straight seam guide attachment for use on a sewing machine.

Sewing machine operators often experience difiiculty in sewing a straight seam along a continuous length of fabric. This is true even when the operator is skilled and a greater problem with unskilled operators. Often it happens that even the skilled operator may begin the sewing of a seam of a given or desired width, and then gradually, after traversing and sewing a length of two fabrics, ends up with an uneven seam or a seam of a different width. In the use of high speed sewing machines, the problem is magnified and any variation from a straight seam being sewn tends to increase or magnify the irregularity in the complete length of the seam. Also because sewing machine operators often work on the same fabric to produce many like garments, it is necessary that each of the garments have the same straight size or width seams. Reliance is placed upon sight alone for accuracy. In practice, this has been found to be insuflicient. Unless the operator is provided with an accurate straight seam guide that will aid in retaining the fabrics in position and limit them in their movement beneath the sewing needle to a desired size, it is impossible to assure that all seams on the same fabric will be straight and of the same Width or that the width of any one seam will be straight throughout its length.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a guide attachment for use during the sewing of a seam on a plurality of fabrics. this invention, an object is to provide a straight seam guide attachment that is extremely simple in construction, one that requires but a few moving parts and, therefore, is unusually easy to operate by one who is fully lacking in mechanical skill or ability.

Another object of the invention is to provide a straight seam guide that is capable of being attached to the bed of a sewing machine without interfering with the operator and because it is not required to be aflixed to any moving part or mechanism of the sewing machine, it permits the machine to function normally and unharnpered.

Further objects and features of the invention reside in the ability to attach the straight seam guide to the bed of a sewing machine in a position remote from that of the sewing needle whereby the straight seam guide retains the fabrics in a sewing position to guide the same during their movement beneath the sewing needle while constantly limiting the free edges of the fabrics, as desired by the operator, to assure an even, straight seam throughout their lengths.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the structures and arrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspecive view of a straight seam guide attachment constructed according to the teaching of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the guide attachment assembled in an operation condition,

FIG. 3 is a top view of a modified guide attachment, and

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the straight seam guide attachment thereshown is generally identified by the num ral 10. It comprises a base support In carrying forth the purposes of ice member 12 that has an under or bottom surface 14 adapted to rest on the bed or top surface 16 (FIG. 2) of a sewing machine. The details of the sewing machine are not fully disclosed since the same form no part of the present invention. However, for the purposes of explanation, the sewing needle 18 and a portion of the presser foot 21 of the sewing machine are illustrated in FIG. 2.

The base support 12 is adapted to slide or be adjustable along and relative to the bed 16 of the sewing machine. It is formed with :a pair of laterally spaced upturned legs 22 along its opposite sides. Hence, the base support 12 is substantially U-shaped with the side legs 22 forming the sides of the U shape. The base support member 12 may be of any desired length and includes a longitudinal opening 24 that extends for a portion of the length thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 24 is defined as a slot. However, the length of the opening is not limiting upon the scope of the invention and may be of any desired size. Located forward of the opening 24 is a threaded opening 26.

Positioned on the base support member 12 is a seam guide member 28. The seam guide member 28 is formed as a plate that is provided with a longtudinal extending opening 30 defined therein and extending from the rear end thereof for a substantial portion of the length. The forward end of the seam guide 28 has a down-turned finger 32 formed thereon. The height of the finger 32 is equal to and can be slightly less than the thickness of the base support 12. The width of the seam guide member 28 is such that it fits between the laterally spaced upturned legs 22 of the base support member 12 to engage the facing adjacent inner surfaces of such legs and thereby its sliding movement relative to the base support is guided by the cooperating engaged legs. Because the finger 32 is proportioned with respect to the thickness of the base support'12 as described, its edge moves smoothly along for adjustment relative to the face of the bed 16 of the sewing machine.

Positioned on and movable relative to the seam guide member 28 and for adjustment and movement relative to the base support member 12 is a fabric cover plate member 34. The cover plate 34 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening 36. The Width of the plate 34 is substantially equal to the lateral spacing between the upturned legs 22 of the base support 12 so when the cover plate 34 slides and moves relative to the seam guide 28, its movement is guided by the legs 22 with which its respective sides cooperatively engage. The cover plate 34 is provided with a plurality of graduations 38 which function as a measuring scale to indicate the relative position of adjustment of the downturned guide finger 32 located therebeneath. The position of the guide finger 32 can be sighted with the graduations on the cover plate 34 through the longitudinal opening 36.

The straight seam guide attachment 10 is assembled and the parts thereof secured together by the passage of a thumb screw or securing means 40 downward through the aligned longitudinal openings 36 and 30 until it engages with the mating threads of the opening 26 in the base support 12. The assembly is adapted to be attached to the bed 16 of a sewing machine and to be secured to the same by passing the threaded end of a second thumb screw or securing means 42 downward through the aligned longitudinal openings 36, 3t) and 24. The threaded end of the thumb screw 42 is adapted to be threadedly engaged in a mating threaded opening 44 provided in the bed 16 of the sewing machine.

When the thumb screws 40 and 42 are loosened, the three members 12, 28 and 34 are permitted movement relative to each other and to the bed 16 of the sewing machine. The cover plate 34 is moved so its forward edge 46 abuts or engages with the adjacent side of the sewing machine presser foot 20. The seam guide member 28 is then moved relative to the cover plate 34 until its downturned finger 32 is positioned at the desired graduation 33 beneath the cover plate 34 to locate the position of the seam and provide the size of the seam inward from the edges of the fabrics desired to be sewn by the sewing needle 18. The longitudinal opening 24 in the base support member 112 permits the same to be adjusted relative to the bed 16 of the sewing machine to accommodate large as well as narrow width seams. After the members are adjusted into their desired positions, the thumb screw 40 is tightened down to lock all the members together. Thereafter, the thumb screw 43 is threaded down tightly into the sewing machine bed 16 to lock the parts of the straight seam guide attachment directly to the machine.

In FIG. 2, the fabrics to be sewn together are shown at 48 and 50. Their free edges 52 are initially positioned against the downturned finger 32 of the seam guide 28 so that the face of the finger 32 engaged by the edges 52 acts as a guide face and is positioned in thedirection of movement of the fabrics to provide a smooth surface against which the edges .52 move and are guided. .T he cover plate 34 overlays the fabric bodies 48 and 50 so as the fabrics are sewn, they must move thereunder. As the fabrics move under the cover plate, they are forced to assume substantially the same fiat condition as the sewing presser foot 2%) causes the fabrics to assume as the needle 18 stitches them together at the seam 53. Because ,the fabrics 43 and 5.9 are flattened and .guided by the cover plate 34 during their movement, the edges 52 are constantly moved into guiding cooperative engagement with the adjacent guide face of the finger 32. Hence, the finger SZconstantlylimits the widthwise size of the seam 53 to keep it straight. and even while the coverplate 34 retains the edges 52 against the guiding-limiting finger 32.

"The straight seam guide attachment limits the size of the seam and guides the fabrics during their movement while the seam is being sewn. .The guide attachment thus assures that the seam size or location will be the same, even and straight, for the continuous length of fabrics. Until the members 12, 28 and 3.4 are readjusted relative to each other, all fabrics guided thereby will have the same straight and equal width seams.

Referringnow to FIGS. 3 and 4, the embodiment thereshown is generally identified by the numeral 180. The straight .seam guide attachment 10.0 is substantially like that of the guide attachment 10 previously described. Therefore, .for ease of explanation, parts of the guide attachment 100 corresponding to those of the guide at tachment 10 will have the .same tens digits, but .will be numbered in the 100 series. This manner of numerical referencing should obviate redundant or superfluous recitations of previously described structural details and functions.

The base support 112 is provided with alongitudinal opening 124 and has its under surface 114 resting on and for relative adjustment to the bed 16 of the sewing machine. Positioned and guided between the upturned legs .122 of the base support 112 are thesearn guide.members 1 28 and the cover plate member 134.

Thelongitudinal openings in the members 112,128 and 134 are aligned with each other to permit the pas sage ofa thumb ,screw 142 therethrough for engagement with a threaded opening 144 defined in thebed 16 of the sewing machine. As noted in the prior described embodiment 10, When the thumb screw 142 isunthreaded in its opening 144, the members 134, 128 and 112 are capable of being moved and adjustedrelative to each other and to the bed .16 of the sewing machine. However, when thethumb screw 142 is tightened in its mating thread 144, the whole guide attachment 100 is locked together whereby the members thereof arelocked from 4 relative movement and from movement relative to the sewing machine bed 16.

In the prior embodiment 11), the numbers 12, 28 and 34 were moved relative to each other by manual adjustment until such time that each of such members assumed their desired positions. In thepresent embodiment, the base support member 112 isprovided with a rotatable pinion 154 that is adapted to engage with a set of rackshaped engaging means or teeth 156 defined along a wall of the longitudinal opening 136 of the cover plate member 134. The pinion 154 is adapted to be rotated by finger pressure andincludes aknurled knob 158 that has a stem thereof extending downward through the longitudinal opening 13tl-of the guide member 128 and is secured to the base support 112 as at 166.

A further adjustment -member 158a is mounted for rotation at Stella-on the base support member 112 and includes engaging means in the form of a rotatable pinion 154a that is adapted to cooperate with engaging means 156a in the form of rack teeth defined along one wall of thelongitudinal opening 13% of the guide memher 128. Both the guide member 128 and the cover plate member 134 have their'longitudinal openings 136 and 1353 in alignment with the longitudinal opening 124 of the base support member 112. In the present embodiment, however, the longitudinal opening 136 of the cover plate member 134 extends fully to the rear edge in the same manner as does the longitudinal opening 130 of the guide member 128.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that when the thumb screw 142 is unthreaded slightly from its mating opening 144, the three members of the guide attachment are permitted relative finite adjustment and longitudinal movement. This relative longitudinal adjustment and movement may be accomplished simply by rotating the thumb screws 158 and 158a to adjust the cover plate member 134 and the guide member 128 each independently of and relative to the other,,as well as to the base support 112. Thus, the members of the straight seam guide attachment 100 are always connected together and may be secured as an attachment unit by the thumb screw 142 to the bed 16 of a sewing machine. The members may be locked together from relative movement when the thumb =screw 142 is tightened into its mating opening 144. The widthwise size of the fabr-icseam will belimited by the relative position of the face of the downturned guide finger 132. The fabrics will constantly be moved or urged into engagement with this guiding and limiting finger as they move beneath the-cover plate 134 in the same manner as described with respect to embodiment 10.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to several-prferredembodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operations may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A straightseam guide for-attachment to the bed of a sewing machine comprising first, second and third members, said second member being movable relative to the other'members and to the bed of a'sewing machine, guide means on said second member to engage an ad1acent edge and to guide aplurality of overlying fabrics to be sewn andto limit the location of the seam thereof, guide means on said-first member to guidesaid-second member for movement relative thereto, said third member havinga fiat undersurface covering and flatly overlying and engaging the upper adjacent surface of one-of the plurality of fabrics to retain the same flat'w th its edge in engagement with said guide means, Said thlrd member including means to indicate the location of said guide means and the location of the seam on said fabrics, and means cooperable with said members to lock the same against relative movement and against movement relative to the bed of a sewing machine, the height of said guide means being substantially equal to that of the thickness of the overlying fabrics when the same are retained flat by said third member.

2. A straight seam guide attachment as in claim 1, engaging means on said first and second members, said engaging means including means operable to cause said members to move relative to each other.

3. A straight seam guide attachment as in claim 1, engaging means on said first and third members, said engaging means including means operable to cause said members to move relative to each other.

4. A straight seam guide attachment as in claim 1, engaging means on said first, second and third members, certain of said engaging means being operable to cause said members to move relative to each other.

5. A straight seam guide attachment as in claim 4, said engaging means being a rack on said second and third members and a rotatable pinion on said first member, said engaging rack and pinion guiding said members during their movement relative to each other.

6. A straight seam guide for attachment to the bed of a sewing machine to guide a plurality of fabrics in overlying relationship during their movement beneath a sewing machine needle comprising first, second and third members, said first member being elongated and U-shaped in cross-section to receive said second and third members between the upstanding legs thereof, said second member being positioned in said U-shaped first member for guided movement between the upstanding legs thereof and on the base thereof, said third member being positioned between the upstanding legs of the U-shaped first member and on said second member, one edge of said third member extending beyond a corresponding edge of said first member, said extending edge of said third member having a flat undersurface spaced from the bed of the sewing machine, said second member being movable between said first and third members and having a straight guide edge movable in the direction of and away from said one edge of said third member and directly beneath the flat undersurface thereof, the height of said guide edge extending for substantially the space between the fiat undersurface of said third member and the bed of the sewing machine, the space between said fiat undersurface and the bed of the sewing machine corresponding substantially to the thickness of the plurality of overlying fabrics to engage the uppermost one of the fabrics to flatten the same to the shape of the flat undersurface of said third member while an edge of each one of the plurality of overlying fabrics engages said straight guide edge, means engaging between said first and second members to move said second memher in the direction of and away from said one edge of said third member, and means cooperable with said members to attach the same to the bed of a sewing machine.

Refcrences {Jited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,152 9/88 Hunter 112153 620,418 2/99 Chatfield 112-153 653,322 7/00 Strong 112146 689,100 12/01 Laubscher 112146 692,150 1/02 Klemrn 1l2153 829,298 8/06 Serodino 1l2146 859,952 7/07 Laubscher 112-146 1,082,360 12/13 Richardson 112--146 1,290,052 l/19 Becker 112-153 X 1,401,000 12/21 Skolfield 112153 2,142,277 1/ 39 McDonald 112153 2,554,168 5/51 Becker 112l53 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT V. SLOAN, Examiner. 

1. A STRAIGHT SEAM GUIDE FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE BED OF A SEWING MACHINE COMPRISING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD MEMBERS, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE OTHER MEMBERS AND TO THE BED OF A SEWING MACHINE, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID SECOND MEMBER TO ENGAGE AN ADJACENT EDGE AND TO GUIDE A PLURALITY OF OVERLYING FABRICS TO BE SEWN AND TO LIMIT THE LOCATION OF THE SEAM THEREOF, GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FIRST MEMBER TO GUIDE SAID SECOND MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, SAID THIRD MEMBER HAVING A FLAT UNDERSURFACE COVERING AND FLATLY OVERLYING AND ENGAGING THE UPPER ADJACENT SURFACE OF ONE OF THE PLURALITY OF FABRICS TO RETAIN THE SAME FLAT WITH ITS EDGE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID THIRD MEMBER INCLUDING MEANS TO INDICATE THE LOCATION OF SAID GUIDE MEANS AND THE LOCATION OF THE SEAM ON SAID FABRICS, AND 